Paul Mashatile facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Paul Mashatile MP
Mashatile in October 2024
9th Deputy President of South Africa
Incumbent
Assumed office 7 March 2023
President	Cyril Ramaphosa
Preceded by	David Mabuza
11th Deputy President of the African National Congress
Incumbent
Assumed office 19 December 2022
President	Cyril Ramaphosa
Preceded by	David Mabuza
Member of the National Assembly
Incumbent
Assumed office 1 February 2023
Preceded by	Tshilidzi Munyai
In office 2 November 2010 – 5 February 2016
Preceded by	Mondli Gungubele
Succeeded by	Doreen Senokoanyane
Constituency	Gauteng
Minister of Arts and Culture
In office 1 November 2010 – 25 May 2014
President	Jacob Zuma
Preceded by	Lulu Xingwana
Succeeded by	Nathi Mthethwa
4th Premier of Gauteng
In office 7 October 2008 – 6 May 2009
Preceded by	Mbhazima Shilowa
Succeeded by	Nomvula Mokonyane
Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature
In office 27 April 1994 – May 2009
Prior party offices 1994‍–‍2022 Secretary-General of the African National Congress Acting In office 19 January 2022 – 19 December 2022 Serving with Jessie Duarte until 17 July 2022 President Cyril Ramaphosa Preceded by Ace Magashule Succeeded by Fikile Mbalula Treasurer-General of the African National Congress In office 18 December 2017 – 19 December 2022 President Cyril Ramaphosa Preceded by Zweli Mkhize Succeeded by Gwen Ramokgopa Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress in Gauteng In office 7 October 2007 – 18 December 2017 Deputy Nomvula Mokonyane Gwen Ramokgopa David Makhura Preceded by Mbhazima Shilowa Succeeded by David Makhura Deputy Provincial Chairperson of the African National Congress in Gauteng In office January 1998 – 1999 Chairperson Mathole Motshekga Preceded by Mathole Motshekga Succeeded by Angie Motshekga Provincial Secretary of the African National Congress in Gauteng In office 7 May 1994 – 19 January 1998 Chairperson Tokyo Sexwale Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Obed Bapela
Personal details
Born	Paul Shipokosa Mashatile (1961-10-21) 21 October 1961 (age 63) Gerhardsville, South Africa
Political party	African National Congress
Other political affiliations	South African Communist Party (Tripartite Alliance)
Spouses	Manzi Ellen ​ (died 2020)​ Hlumile Mjongile ​ (m. 2023)​
Occupation	Politician activist

Paulus Shipokosa Mashatile (born 21 October 1961) is a well-known South African politician. He currently serves as the 9th Deputy President of South Africa. He also holds the position of Deputy President of the African National Congress (ANC), which is the ruling political party in South Africa.

Before becoming Deputy President, he was the ANC's Treasurer-General from December 2017. He also served as the acting Secretary-General of the ANC from January 2022. Mr. Mashatile has a long history in politics. He was an activist against apartheid, which was a system of racial segregation in South Africa.

He served as the Minister of Arts and Culture from 2010 to 2014 under President Jacob Zuma. Before that, he was the Premier of Gauteng province from 2008 to 2009. He has also held several important roles in the Gauteng provincial government. He is still very influential in Gauteng, his home province.

Early Life and Anti-Apartheid Work

Paul Mashatile was born on 21 October 1961 in Gerhardsville. This area is now part of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality in the Gauteng province. His mother, Marriam Nomvula Mashatile, worked as a domestic helper.

As a student, Mashatile became involved in politics. He was an activist against apartheid in Alexandra, Gauteng. He helped start the Alexandra Youth Congress in 1983 and became its first president. He also joined the United Democratic Front (UDF). The UDF was a large group that fought against apartheid.

In 1985, he was arrested for his political activities. He was held without trial until 1989. This shows how dedicated he was to ending apartheid.

Rising in Gauteng Politics

When the apartheid government allowed the African National Congress (ANC) and South African Communist Party (SACP) to operate legally in 1990, Mashatile played a key role. He helped set up their new structures, especially in the Gauteng region. This work helped him gain strong support and influence in the area.

He became the interim regional secretary of the SACP in 1990. From 1991 to 1992, he led the ANC's political education program in the region. In 1992, he was elected Provincial Secretary of the Gauteng ANC. In this role, he worked closely with the Provincial Chairperson, Tokyo Sexwale.

Serving in Provincial Government

In South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994, Mashatile was elected to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. He became the leader of the house. Two years later, he joined the provincial cabinet. He served there for 13 years.

He was the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Transport and Public Works from 1996 to 1998. Then he was MEC for Safety and Security from 1998 to 1999. Under Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, he held important positions. These included MEC for Human Settlements (1999–2004) and for Finance and Economic Affairs (2004–2008). He was a close helper to Premier Shilowa.

As Finance MEC, he helped plan the Gautrain project. This is a rapid train system. He also created the Gauteng Shared Services Centre. This system managed the budgets of provincial departments.

Leading the Provincial ANC

During this time, Mashatile also moved up in the Gauteng ANC. He was Provincial Secretary until 1998. Then he was elected Deputy Provincial Chairperson. He remained a member of the SACP until at least 2007.

Becoming ANC Gauteng Chairperson

Election in 2007

At the ANC's provincial meeting in 2007, Mashatile aimed for the top job. He wanted to become the Provincial Chairperson. This is the most senior position in the provincial party. He ran against other MECs, Angie Motshekga and Nomvula Mokonyane.

Mashatile was elected ANC Provincial Chairperson on 7 October 2007. Nomvula Mokonyane became his deputy.

Premier of Gauteng: 2008–2009

On 7 October 2008, Mashatile became the Premier of Gauteng. He took over from Shilowa, who had resigned. However, Mashatile was Premier for less than a year. After the 2009 general election, he was replaced by Nomvula Mokonyane. He then became the Deputy Minister for Arts and Culture.

Minister of Arts and Culture: 2010–2014

In May 2010, Mashatile was re-elected as ANC Gauteng Chairperson. He won by a clear margin. After this, on 31 October 2010, President Zuma promoted Mashatile. He became the Minister of Arts and Culture. He was sworn into the National Assembly to take up this role.

Aiming for ANC Treasury in 2012

In 2012, Mashatile sought a national leadership role. He ran for the position of national Treasurer General at the ANC's 53rd National Conference. However, he lost this election. He also did not get enough votes to join the party's National Executive Committee.

After the 2014 elections, President Zuma did not include Mashatile in his new cabinet. Mashatile then served as a regular member of the National Assembly. He chaired the appropriations committee. He was also re-elected as ANC Gauteng Chairperson in October 2014.

He left the national legislature in February 2016. He was appointed MEC for Human Settlements and Cooperative Governance in Gauteng. He served in the provincial cabinet until early 2018. Then he took on the full-time party role of ANC Treasurer General.

In the National ANC

ANC Treasurer General: 2017–2022

On 18 December 2017, Mashatile was elected Treasurer General of the ANC. This happened at the party's 54th National Conference. He won with 2,517 votes. He was part of the team that supported Cyril Ramaphosa for party president.

The Treasurer General job is a full-time role at the ANC's main office in Johannesburg. In January 2022, Mashatile became the acting ANC Secretary General. This happened because the Secretary General was suspended and the Deputy Secretary General was on sick leave. He continued in this role after the Deputy Secretary General passed away in July.

ANC Deputy President: 2022–Present

On 19 December 2022, Mashatile was elected ANC Deputy President. This was at the party's 55th National Conference. He now serves under President Ramaphosa. He was a strong candidate for the deputy presidency. He received just over 50% of the votes.

Deputy President of South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Mashatile as the Deputy President of South Africa. This happened after David Mabuza resigned. As Deputy President, Mashatile has several important duties.

He is the Leader of Government Business in the Parliament of South Africa. He also chairs the South African National Aids Council. He leads the Human Resource Development Council of South Africa too. Mashatile was also appointed as a special envoy to South Sudan.

Many people believe Mashatile will be a very active Deputy President. In March 2024, Mashatile attended the Proudly South African Presidential Localization Dinner. This event promoted local products. He also visited the United Kingdom to meet government officials and business leaders. This trip aimed to attract investors to South Africa.

Personal Life

Paul Mashatile has two sons and two daughters. His wife, Manzi Ellen Mashatile, passed away in July 2020. In her memory, he started the Manzi Mashatile Foundation in November 2020. This foundation supports educational programs.